Mike & Molly's executive producers have insisted that the upcoming romantic sitcom will not focus purely on weight issues.

Mark Roberts and Chuck Lorre, who also work together on Two And A Half Men, told TV Guide that jokes will be "self-deprecating and with affection", with an element of poignancy to the script.

Lorre said: "Hopefully, the humour is self-deprecating and with affection. Some of the jokes at Mike's expense that Carl [Mike's partner on the force] takes, you can see that he really does care about his partner and friend.

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"Television would normally have cast Chris O'Donnell and Courteney Cox as the people who meet at Overeaters Anonymous. In this case we had the courage to cast people who are just people, who are trying to make their lives better and find someone that they can love and be loved by."

Roberts added: "I wanted to write a show about two people at the beginning of a relationship, and that was what intrigued me the most."